The earliest occupation of North-Africa: the Moroccan perspective

Citation
Jp. Raynal et al., The earliest occupation of North-Africa: the Moroccan perspective, QUATERN INT, 75, 2001, pp. 65-75
Citations number
37
Categorie Soggetti
Earth Sciences
Journal title
QUATERNARY INTERNATIONAL
ISSN journal
10406182 → ACNP
Volume
75
Year of publication
2001
Pages
65 - 75
Database
ISI
SICI code
1040-6182(2001)75:<65:TEOONT>2.0.ZU;2-F
Abstract
The long sequence at Casablanca covers the past 5.5 Ma. The oldest lithic a ssemblages are found in Late Lower Pleistocene deposits, ca. 1 Ma, in unit L of Thomas Quarry 1, and consist of Acheulean artefacts made from quartzit e and flint. The first human remains discovered in this area were found in younger Middle Pleistocene deposits and cover an important period of human evolution between Homo erectus and modern Homo. They are associated with Ac heulean artefacts and rich faunal assemblages in caves (Littorina Cave at S idi Abderrahman, caves at Thomas Quarries I and 3). The variability of Ache ulean assemblages is well documented following recent excavations in variou s sites around the well-known locality of Sidi Abderrahman (Bears Cave, Cap Chatelier, Unit L and Hominid Cave at Thomas Quarry 1, Rhino Cave at Oulad Hamida Quarry 1, Sidi Abderrahman Extension and Sidi Al Khadir open-air si tes). The Casablanca sequence offers useful data for comparison with those from other African areas where hominids appeared and developed, and should thus be considered in the debate on the earliest occupation of Europe. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd and INQUA. All rights reserved.